Overview
This 6-day itinerary combines a full Mount Meru climb with a genuine taste of safari, all within Arusha National Park and the surrounding Northern Circuit — a good option if your schedule doesn't stretch to a full Kilimanjaro-and-safari combination but you still want both a real mountain climb and proper wildlife viewing.
The climb portion follows the standard Meru route over several days, reaching the 4,566m summit before descending back to Arusha. The safari days that follow cover nearby game-viewing areas, giving you a complete, well-rounded trip without the time commitment a Kilimanjaro-based combo requires.
It's a genuinely good fit for travelers who want a real physical achievement alongside their wildlife safari, without dedicating the better part of two weeks to it.
Contact us to book this combined itinerary, or see our Meru and safari combo guide for more on how the two halves fit together.
Day 4
Day 5
Day 3, 6
| Accommodation | Confirmed together with you — see the Rates tab for general comfort levels we work with. |
|---|---|
| Meals | Full board on safari days; meals as specified for any city/beach nights, per your final itinerary. |
Day by Day (6 days)
Duration Approx. 5 – 7 hours of hiking
Vegetation Type: Forest
The tour starts after breakfast in your lodge (1400 m) where you drive for about 30 minutes to Ngongongare gate via Usa river town. At the gate, your guide will do all paperwork before driving along Arusha National Park with some stops for wildlife spotting, reach Momella gate for a final checkup of porters & luggage.
Afterward, 3 days Mt Meru trekking will start with pole-pole pace, the first day is more or less similar to a walking safari, on the way you may spot some animal species like reticulated Giraffes, Zebras, Waterbuck, and Buffaloes. Since the hiking is inside the park an armed TANAPA ranger will be escorting you all the way to the camp.
Duration: 4 – 5 hours of hiking.
Vegetation Type: Forest Zone.
After breakfast starts your 3 days Mt Meru trekking along the steep path on the forest zone, see various birds and animals along the way. On the way, you will view Mount Meru Crater & the Ash Tray. Reach Saddle Hut is situated at the alpine desert zone for hot lunch (but this will depend on your pace).
After lunch and some rest, you have an option of an acclimatization hike at Little Meru (3,820 m), this is a good hike with some great views of great Meru & the area around & it makes you ready for a night attempt on the summit the main Meru Mountain. Early dinner will be served on this day so that you can have enough rest before your midnight summit attempt. Go to sleep as early as possible possibly around 19:00 hrs.
Duration Approx. 9-12 hours of hiking.
Vegetation Type: Alpine desert.
Wake up at 00:30 after midnight for tea and biscuit before you start your final push to the summit at 01:30 hrs. On this final day of your 3 days Mt Meru trekking, you will start by trading on the steep grade path up to Rhino point at (3800 m) then reach Cobra point at (4,350 m).
From there the trekking will be on a rocky ridge in between the Crater and the inner cliffs of Meru Mountain. Reach the summit during the first rays of the sun from the East (4,566 m). During clear days, morning can be the best time to view his Majesty Kilimanjaro Mountain, the total cliffs of the crater drop intensely at almost 1000 feet or more.
Spend some time at the summit for pictures before returning back to Saddle Hut for some rest & afterward continue down to Miriakamba Hut & to Mommella gate for check out.
Depart from Arusha to Serengeti National Park after breakfast via Ngorongoro. Here we will track the wildebeest migration the whole day in the south Serengeti and later we drive to central Serengeti for overnight at Seronera Camping site Dinner and breakfast included!
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Breakfast is followed by a half-day game drive in Serengeti National Park. This Park covers an area of 14,763sq km. The name Serengeti comes from the Maasai language and means “endless plains”. Here wildlife like Lion, Thompson and Grant Gazelle, Zebra, Buffalo, Hippo, Elephant & Cheetah. Drive to Ngorongoro for overnight at Simba campsite. Meal plan Full Board.
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After breakfast, you depart to Ngorongoro Crater at 6:30. Here you come across unique attractions near this historical caldera where man and wildlife are living together without harming one another. Get a chance to observe wildlife including Lion, elephants, hippos, Wildebeest, Warthog, and Zebra, and see also lake Magadi, Lerai Forest, and Ngoitokito swamp; while accompanied with lunch boxes. After lunch starts driving to Arusha.
End of the Service
Rates Per Person
See "Accommodation & Meals" on the Overview tab for the general comfort levels available — send us your dates and group size for an exact quote.
Next: Inclusions →Inclusions
Included
- Private vehicle with your own driver-guide
- Park entry and conservation fees
- Accommodation as specified in your itinerary
- Meals as specified per day (full board on safari days)
- Airport pickup and drop-off
Excluded
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Getting There
Tour Start & End
This trip starts in Arusha and ends in Arusha.
Airport Information
Kilimanjaro International Airport and Mwanza Airport are the most common arrival points, depending on your route.
Transfer Information
Airport pickup and all transfers between destinations are included and arranged by our team.
Accommodation Before/After
Need a night in Mwanza or Arusha before or after this trip? We can arrange that on request.